Additive Manufacturing

Manager's Desk Columnist Keith Jennings reminds all owners and managers that while losing key members of the staff may seem stressful, a silver lining exists when a they leave because such an event can be a blessing in disguise.

The Get With The Program column in the July 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine delves into integrating automated nesting into production work flows.

Mobile robots for massive-part manufacturers.

Despite setbacks and challenges, the orthopedic implant market is set to grow.

Chicago wins bid to host digital manufacturing institute.

Keith Jennings, our Manager's Desk columnist, this month responds to readers asking for tips to increase sales, and, yes, his answer emphasizes the need for a Web presence and social media.

Is it morning in America -- and the world -- for additive manufacturing? That's looking more and more likely. While AM, also known as 3D printing, is well-established as a process for making prototype parts, it's making serious inroads into production -- where the real money is.

With a global commercial aircraft order backlog recently valued at $920 billion, jetliner and jet-engine builders are placing volumes of part orders not seen for many years -- if ever.

Any conversation about training and skills development in the metalworking industry tends to stir up emotions. Pretty soon, people are complaining about the same three things over and over: "Our manufacturing plants are stereotyped as dark, dirty and greasy;" "We can't get people to consider manufacturing jobs because we're negatively stereotyped by parents and high-school guidance counselors;" and "There aren't enough available workers with the right skills."

The digital revolution has impacted everyone. As is typical with a disruptive technology, expected cost savings drive initial adoption. But, over time, far greater impact is achieved once the new technology is better understood. For example, the Internet and e-mail have dramatically reduced the volume of mail carried by the U.S.

When the world's biggest retailer pledged it would buy an additional $50 billion worth of U.S.-made products over the next decade, Cutting Tool Engineering Editorial Director Alan Rooks questions whether the news is cause for celebration.

After working in the machining and fabrication business for 21 years, Keith Jennings, the Manager's Desk columnist for Cutting Tool Engineering, has concluded that million-dollar jobs don't guarantee big profits.